Wellington Philosophical Society. 405 
Dr. Günther says that N. elegans and N. punctatus are one and the same 
species. 
“ Norbea isolata. 
“ I fear Captain Hutton is wrong in referring his new species to the genus 
Norbea. Dr. Giinther is of the same opinion, and considers the existence of 
such a form in New Zealand as improbable as the occurrence there of a 
crocodile ! 
“The ‘depression on the top of the head’ may be a mere abnormity of 
character, for this is very common among the lizards. 
“ Naultinus sulphureus. 
“There are two specimens of my N. sulphureus in the British Museum, 
one of them presented by Dr. Sinclair, the other by Capt. Byron Drury, R.N. 
“I think Capt. Hutton will find, on further inquiry, that Dr. Hector’s 
type-specimen did come originally from the Hot Springs. 
Birps. 
“ H. brunnea. 
“Dr. Finsch writes me as follows:— I consider Mieracidea brunnea as 
doubtful a species as Nestor occidentalis ; and if you declare the very singular 
Stringops greyi a mere variety I think you ought to do the same with the two 
former.’ 
“Mr. J. H. Gurney, however, who is an acknowledged authority on 
Accipitres, writes me, under date April 10, ‘I am sure you are right about the 
distinctness of the two New Zealand Hieracidee.’ 
“ Nestor occidentalis has been retained provisionally for the reasons given 
in my work on the Birds of New Zealand (pp. 50-51). My arguments for 
the reduction of Séringops greyi to the rank of a synonym are, I think, 
conclusive. Mr. G. R. Gray (who described the so-called new species) says 
he accepts my decision. I may add that latterly he was himself very doubtful 
of the validity of the species.” 
Captain Hutton explained with reference to Vorbea isolata, that he thought 
the frequent representation in New Zealand of tropical forms was not sufficient] y 
appreciated. The lizard in question is of a stunted form, and may be a case 
like some tropical plants that are found in New Zealand and other islands near 
hot springs. 
4. Dr. Hector described a Porpoise that had been shot by Mr. Lewis 
Wilson, from the s.s. “ Luna.” The skull proves it to be Electra claneula, a 
species founded on the skull of a specimen in the British Museum. (Vide 
ante, p. 160.) 
5. “The Ascent of Tauakira,” by H. C. Field. 
(ABSTRACT. ) 
Tauakira, known to sailors as “The Devil’s Thumb,” is an important 
